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Recent VA News Releases

VA Data Show Home Health Technology Improves Access to Care
Peake: Entire Health Care System More Effective

WASHINGTON (Jan. 5, 2009) - Veterans with chronic conditions can manage
their health and avoid hospitalization by using special technology
provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in their homes,
according to a recent study.

"The study showed that home telehealth makes health care more effective
because it improves patients' access to care and is easy to use," said
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "A real plus is that
this approach to care can be sustained because it's so cost-effective
and more veteran-centric. Patients in rural areas are increasingly
finding that telehealth improves their access to health care and
promotes their ongoing relationship with our health care system."

The study found a 25 percent reduction in the average number of days
hospitalized and a 19 percent reduction in hospitalizations for patients
using home telehealth. The data also show that for some patients the
cost of telehealth services in their homes averaged $1,600 a year - much
lower than in-home clinician care costs.

The authors of the study in the current issue of the journal
Telemedicine and e-Health are VA national telehealth staff members. The
study looked at health outcomes from 17,025 VA home telehealth patients.


VA's home telehealth program cares for 35,000 patients and is the
largest of its kind in the world. Clinicians and managers in health
care systems, as well as information technology professionals, have been
awaiting the results of the telehealth study, said Dr. Adam Darkins,
chief consultant in VA's care coordination program, who led the study.

"The results are not really about the technology, but about how using it
helps coordinate the full scope of care our patients need," said
Darkins. "It permits us to give the right care in the right place at
the right time."

VA's Under Secretary for Health, Dr. Michael J. Kussman, said the key to
the program's success is VA's computerized patient record system. "Data
obtained from the home such as blood pressure and blood glucose, along
with other patient information in the electronic system, allows our
health care teams to anticipate and prevent avoidable problems," he
said.

VA health care officials emphasize that home telehealth does not
necessarily replace nursing home care or traditional care but can help
veterans understand and manage chronic conditions such as diabetes,
hypertension and chronic heart failure. Patients' partnership with the
medical team can delay the need for institutional care and maintain
independence for an extended time.

Recent VA News Releases

VA Assisting Veterans with Health Care Costs

WASHINGTON (Jan. 6, 2009) -- For veterans struggling financially due to
a job loss or decreased income, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
offers an assortment of programs that can relieve the costs of health
care or provide care at no cost.

"With the downturn in the economy, VA recognizes that many veterans will
feel the effects," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B.
Peake. "Therefore, it is important that eligible veterans learn of the
many ways VA has to help them afford the health care they have earned."

Veterans whose previous income was ruled too high for VA health care may
be able to enter the VA system based upon a hardship if their current
year's income is projected to fall below federal income thresholds due
to a job loss, separation from service or some other financial setback.
Veterans determined eligible due to hardship can avoid copays applied to
higher-income veterans. Qualifying veterans may be eligible for
enrollment and receive health care at no cost.

Also eligible for no-cost VA care are most veterans who recently
returned from a combat zone. They are entitled to five years of free VA
care. The five-year "clock" begins with their discharge from the
military, not their departure from the combat zone.

Each VA medical center across the country has an enrollment coordinator
available to provide veterans information about these programs.
Veterans may also contact VA's Health Benefits Service Center at
1-877-222 VETS (8387) or visit the VA health eligibility website at
www.va.gov/healtheligibility .

Recent VA News Releases

VA Ramps Up Job Search for Injured Vets

WASHINGTON (Dec. 30, 2008) - Thirty percent of employees of the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are veterans - the second highest
ranking among cabinet departments after the Department of Defense -- and
nearly 8 percent of VA employees are service-connected disabled
veterans. But the VA intends to increase the number of disabled
veterans who obtain employment in its workforce.

"I am proud of this effort," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr.
James B. Peake. "VA knows the true quality of our men and women, and we
should be a leader in employing them."

Peake said all severely injured veterans of the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan will be contacted by VA's Veterans Employment Coordination
Service to determine their interest in -- and qualifications for -- VA
jobs. So far, that office has identified 2,300 severely injured
veterans of those wars, of whom 600 expressed interest in VA employment.

The coordination service was established a year ago to recruit veterans
into VA, especially those seriously injured in the current wars. It has
nine regional coordinators working with local facility human resources
offices across the country not only to reach out to potential job
candidates but to ensure that local managers know about special
authorities available to hire veterans. For example, qualified disabled
veterans rated by the Defense Department or VA as having a 30 percent or
more service-connected disability can be hired non-competitively.

"Our team is spreading the message that VA is hiring, and we want to
hire disabled veterans," said Dennis O. May, director of VA's Veterans
Employment Coordination Service.

VA coordinators participate in military career fairs and transition
briefings, and partner with veterans organizations, the Department of
Labor's Veterans Employment and Training Service, as well as VA's
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service, the Marine Corps'
Wounded Warrior Regiment and the Army's Warrior Transition Units.

Recent VA News Releases

Some Veterans to See Another Travel Reimbursement Increase
WASHINGTON (Dec. 29, 2008) - Service-disabled and low-income veterans
who are reimbursed for travel expenses while receiving care at
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities will see an increase in
their payments beginning January 9.

A recently passed law allows VA to cut the amount it must withhold from
their mileage reimbursement. The deductible amount will be $3 for each
one-way trip and $6 for each round trip -- with a calendar cap of $18,
or six one-way trips or three round trips, whichever comes first. The
previous deductible was $7.77 for a one-way trip, and $15.54 for a round
trip, with a calendar cap of $46.62.

"I'm pleased that we can help veterans living far from VA facilities to
access the medical and counseling help they deserve, especially in the
current economic climate," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James
B. Peake. "Together with the increased mileage rate approved last
month, we can further reduce the financial hardship some veterans
undergo to use our superior health care."

In November, Peake announced VA's second increase in the mileage
reimbursement rate during 2008, from 28.5 cents to 41.5 cents a mile.

Service-disabled and low-income veterans are eligible to be reimbursed
by VA for the travel costs of receiving health care or counseling at VA
facilities. Veterans traveling for Compensation and Pension
examinations also qualify for mileage reimbursement. VA can waive
deductibles if they cause financial hardship.

Recent VA News Releases

New Members Appointed to Committee on Women Veterans

WASHINGTON (Dec. 23, 2008) - Four new members have been appointed to the
Advisory Committee on Women Veterans for the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA), an expert panel that advises VA on issues and programs
affecting women veterans.

"I am pleased to welcome the newest members of this committee to the
important job of serving America's women veterans," said Secretary of
Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "Members of this committee work
tirelessly on behalf of women veterans to improve outreach, ensure
access to VA benefits and recommend ways in which VA can better meet
their needs."

Established in 1983, the advisory committee makes recommendations for
administrative and legislative changes. The committee members are
appointed to one, two, or three-year terms. The new committee members
are:

* Davy Coke of Poway, Calif., a retired Navy second class petty
officer who served in Vietnam. He currently is a trainer and mentor for
new service members in the aerospace field.

* Yanira Gomez of Germantown, Md., a former Army medical
specialist who served in Iraq. She is currently serving as national
outreach officer for the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

* Gloria Maser of Alexandria, Va., a colonel in the Army Reserves.
She is a former deputy chief of staff for health affairs with the
Multi-National Security Transition Command in Iraq. She currently works
for a strategy and technology organization.

* Barbara Ward of Sacramento, Calif., a former staff nurse in the
Air Force. She currently serves as the deputy secretary for women and
minority veterans affairs in the California Department of Veterans
Affairs.

Women veterans are one of the fastest growing segments of the veteran
population. There are approximately 1.8 million women veterans. They
constitute nearly 8 percent of the total veteran population and about 5
percent of all veterans who use VA health care. VA estimates that by
2020 women veterans will make up 10 percent of the veteran population.

VA has women veterans program managers at VA medical centers and women
veterans coordinators at VA regional offices to assist women veterans
with health and benefits issues.

Armed Forces News Issue
Friday, December 19, 2008
------------------------

1. Housing Allowances To Rise
-----------------------------
Service members will see their housing allowances rise by an average of
$95 in 2009. Basic allowance for housing (BAH) rates are adjusted annually
to offset expenses service members must pay for rent when base housing
is not available. The rates vary by geographic location: They typically
are higher big cities like Washington, D.C., and San Diego than in less
populated areas. Some service members in certain pay grades will see their
2009 BAH rates decline slightly. Defense paymasters say such fluctuations
are normal, because of declines in housing costs at some locales. Persons
living in such areas who are locked into rental agreements will not see
their BAH decline. Those who move into such areas and sign new leases will,
however.

2. 19 Soldiers Earn Silver Stars
--------------------------------
In the largest ceremony of its kind since the Vietnam War, 19 soldiers
received the Silver Star medal, the nation's third-highest honor for valor
in combat, for their heroism during a Dec. 12 ceremony at the John F.
Kennedy Special Warfare Center at Fort Bragg, N.C.

Ten members of Team 3336, 3rd Special Forces Group, were recognized for
their roles in a fierce, six-and-a half-hour firefight that took place
during a raid against an insurgent stronghold in Afghanistan's Shok Valley
on April 6. The raid, conducted jointly with Afghan commandos, targeted
the Hezeb Islami al Gulbadin, a fierce and persistent foe. In the end, 150
enemy fighters were killed. They are: Staff Sgt. Daniel Plants, Staff Sgt.
Luis Morales, Capt. Kyle Walton, Staff Sgt. David Sanders, Staff Sgt. Seth
Howard, Master Sgt. Scott Ford, Spc. Michael Carter, Staff Sgt. Dillon
Behr, Staff Sgt. Ronald Shurer, and Sgt. Matthew Williams. Master Sgt.
Frederick Davenport, Staff Sgt. Robert Hammons, SFC Jacob Allixon, and SFC
Paul Fiesel, Sgt. Gabriel Reynolds, and Capt. Kent Solheim earned their
edals for 2007 action; SFC Benjamin Konrad, for action in 2006; Capt.
Brandon Griffin and SFC Larry Hawks earned their medals in separate actions
in 2005.

3. Newest Virginia-Class Submarine Christened
---------------------------------------------
The USS New Mexico (SSN 779), the sixth in the line of 10 Virginia-class
attack submarines, was christened during a Dec. 13 ceremony at Northrop
Grumman Shipbuilding in Newport News, Va. The 377-foot vessel boasts a
speed of more than 25 knots when submerged, and is capable of conducting
surveillance and special operations missions while employing the latest in
stealth technology. Manned by 14 officers and 120 sailors, New Mexico will
be commissioned late next year.

4. PO Advancement-Testing Cycle Announced
-----------------------------------------
The Navy has released the dates in March when petty officers will take
advancement examinations. First-class petty officers will take tests on March
5; second-class petty officers, March 12, and third-class petty officers,
March 19. More details are outlined in NAVADMIN 358/08, available on the Web
at www.npc.navy.mil/Channels/.

5. Navy Improves Online Career Guidance
---------------------------------------
Sailors can do a better job of researching and applying for new jobs online,
thanks to an upgrade in the Career Management System Interactive Detailing
system, the Navy announced Dec. 9. Included in the upgrade is a device that
allows sailors to apply for new jobs directly, without the assistance of
career counselors, now being tested at some commands. Other upgrades include
a separate category for those serving overseas in the war on terror, and sa
hipboard server that allows sailors without Internet access to search out and
apply for new billets. More information is provided in NAVADMIN 350/08,
viewable online at www.npc.navy.mil. *

6. Troops To Pull Out of All Iraqi Cities by June 30
----------------------------------------------------
U.S. combat forces are scheduled to withdraw from all Iraqi cities by June 30,
the U.S. commander of troops there said Dec. 13. The withdrawal of all but a
few small security contingents complies with terms of the status-of-forces
agreement between the U.S. and Iraq, says Army Gen. Ray Odierno, commander of
Multinational Force Iraq. The troops that stay behind will support Iraqi
forces until they are able to able to provide security for their country
themselves, Odierno says.

7. Accompanied Tours OKed at More Korea Sites
---------------------------------------------
Service members assigned to permanent duty in several Korea locations can now
bring their families, under a new change approved by the Defense Department.
Accompanied tour lengths at five bases -- Pyeongtaek, Osan, Daegu, Chinhae,
and Seoul, have been extended to 36 months from 24 months. At two other sites,
Dongducheon and Uijongbu, accompanied tours have been extended to 24 months.
Pentagon leaders view the change as a way to keep U.S. forces in place until
the transfer of control of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) takes place in 2012,
and to provide married service members with an incentive to apply for Korea
tours.

8. Gates: More Good Low-Tech Gear Needed
----------------------------------------
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates called for a revamping of the military
procurements system to place less emphasis on esoteric and pricey systems at
the expense of materiel and weapons that provide immediate and critical help
to those who fight on the front lines. Writing in the January-February issue
of Foreign Affairs magazine, Gates contended that weapons systems "have grown
ever more baroque, have become ever more costly, are taking longer to build,
and are being fielded in ever-dwindling quantities." While acknowledging
that expensive, high-tech systems have provided battlefield support during
the war on terror, their implementation came at the expense of solving a more
immediate need -- protecting vehicles from improvised explosive device attacks.
"The United States cannot expect to eliminate national security risks through
higher defense budgets to do everything and buy everything," Gates wrote.
"The Department of Defense must set priorities and consider inescapable
tradeoffs and opportunity costs." **

Recent VA News Releases

VA to Provide Payments to Eligible Surviving Spouses
Quick Action Taken to Resolve Problem Identified by Senate Chairman

WASHINGTON (Dec. 18, 2008) - The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
today announced immediate actions to quickly identify and pay surviving
spouses who are eligible to receive a one-time compensation or pension
payment for the month of the veteran's death.

"This benefit payment is long overdue to many of our beneficiaries,"
said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "In these
difficult economic times, it is imperative that we take aggressive
action to fix this situation for the families of our veterans."

Problems in VA's implementation of a change in law that was effective in
1997 resulted in some surviving spouses not receiving the veteran's
compensation or pension payment for the month of death. This problem
was recently brought to VA's attention by Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, chairman
of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Peake immediately directed the formation of a special task force to
identify and pay the beneficiaries who never received the benefit or
were inadvertently required to repay the money issued for the month of a
veteran's death.

Surviving spouses most likely to be affected by this processing problem
are those who never applied to VA for survivors' benefits following the
death of a veteran.

The task force is in the process of reviewing VA's payment records for
veterans who died after December 31, 1996, and who are survived by a
spouse. The review will identify those to whom VA owes retroactive
benefits for the month of the veteran's death. Current address
information is being obtained for as many of these beneficiaries as
possible.

VA will begin issuing retroactive payments to eligible surviving spouses
at the end of this month. Payments will continue to be issued as
additional unpaid beneficiaries are identified and VA is able to obtain
current address information.

Because there are deceased veterans for whom VA does not have marital
status information, a special Survivors' Call Center has been
established for spouses who believe they may be entitled to this
retroactive month-of-death benefit.

Surviving spouses are encouraged to contact the Survivors' Call Center
at the toll-free telephone number, 1-800-749-8387. Call center agents
will assist surviving spouses in providing VA with the information
needed to determine their eligibility.

The Call Center is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
central standard time. Inquiries may also be submitted through the
Internet at
http://www.vba.va.gov/survivorsbenefit.htm.

VA is aggressively changing its processing procedures to ensure this
benefit is correctly paid to all surviving spouses in the future. VA's
disability payment system will also be enhanced to automate the
month-of-death payment for all eligible surviving spouses.

WASHINGTON (Nov. 25, 2008) - In a public event held today in New
Orleans, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the State of
Louisiana jointly announced the selection of adjacent downtown sites for
construction of their replacement medical center projects. The two
projects, called the Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the Louisiana
State University Academic Medical Center, restore greatly needed health
care capability lost in New Orleans during flooding after Hurricane
Katrina in late August 2005.

"Restoring a full capability medical center for our veterans in New
Orleans and southeastern Louisiana is one of the Secretary's highest
priorities," said Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gordon H.
Mansfield. "Site selection is a key milestone in the project delivery
process."

"VA selected the downtown site because it offers the best solution for
our veterans, today and into the future," Mansfield added. "The site,
located within a robust medical district with affiliate health care
teaching universities, promotes long term operational synergy and
efficiency. The selected site aligns with the City of New Orleans and
State of Louisiana Hurricane Katrina recovery and redevelopment plans."

An agreement between VA and the City of New Orleans obligates the city
to acquire the land for the new facility, prepare the site for
construction and turn over the site to VA within one year.

"I understand this site selection creates near term impact on the
directly affected and surrounding neighborhoods," Mansfield continued.
"We have been working cooperatively with federal, state, city and
neighborhood partners to develop a robust package of treatment measures
to mitigate the negative impacts and invest in new local opportunities."


"Constructing this state-of-the-art medical complex near downtown New
Orleans follows through on the Administration's commitment to fully
support recovery efforts," he said.

The announcement follows a nearly one-year process of extensive study of
site alternatives, including analysis of the potential impacts on the
environment and historically significant structures.

"Today is of great significance for the City of New Orleans and for the
veterans of the Gulf Coast. The announcement by my colleagues at the
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs brings to closure a collaborative
and inclusive process involving Federal, state and local government, as
well as stakeholders who determined the location of the new veterans
hospital," said retired Maj. Gen. Douglas O'Dell, federal coordinator
for Gulf Coast rebuilding.

"The hospital is a key component of the city's vision of a revitalized
downtown area and a world class medical campus," O'Dell added.
"Further, this decision advances the goal President Bush and Secretary
Peake established of better access to quality health care for the needs
of current and future veterans,"

Dr. John Lombardi, LSU System President, said that building these
hospitals in close proximity to each other assures the future of top
quality health care, research, and medical education not only for the
New Orleans area but for the entire state for many years to come. "This
is a major milestone in constructing these joint academic medical
centers that are destined to be models of health care reform for the
nation in creating thousands of jobs while delivering cost-efficient
medical treatment and disease management," he said.

New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin, who hosted today's news conference where
the announcement was made, said, "The new VA hospital in downtown New
Orleans will provide needed medical care for veterans throughout the
region and will serve as a key economic driver for our future. Along
with the new LSU hospital, it will serve as the centerpiece of our
biomedical district, generating thousands of jobs and enabling our city
to compete with communities that are known for their medical services
and research."

Veterans and Asbestos Exposure

Among the lesser known ailments facing veterans today is the threat of health complications as a result of asbestos exposure. The threat posed by asbestos exposure is a real one for veterans and they should be aware of the possibility, as well as some possible exposure points.

The great majority of asbestos exposures affect naval veterans. Naval ships and shipyards were notorious for their use of asbestos and today many veterans are paying the price. Asbestos was used to insulate and prevent temperature transfer in many parts of vessel construction, but especially around boilers and piping. Those who frequently worked among these fixtures could be at risk of a harmful level of asbestos exposure.

Veterans who worked among our military’s industrial complex may also be at risk. Many military structures and installations were built to withstand fire and heat, a property for which asbestos products were especially adept. Those who worked around these fixtures prior to 1980, or worked extensively on older fixtures more recently, could also be at risk of a possibly harmful exposure.

Asbestos was banned in the late 1970’s because a clear connection between asbestos exposure and respiratory health complications became impossible to ignore any longer. Asbestos exposure has been known to cause respiratory disease, including the cancer, mesothelioma. For more information about asbestos exposure, mesothelioma, or mesothelioma treatment, please visit our website at maacenter.org.  

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